Lemon Crumb Bars

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Lemon Crumb Bars are a beloved American dessert, believed to have evolved from traditional lemon bars, which gained popularity in mid-20th century cookbooks. These bars combine the simplicity of shortbread crusts with the popularity of lemon custard pies. The “crumb” topping was a later addition, influenced by coffee cake-style toppings, to add texture and visual appeal




🧱 Core Components:

  1. Base Layer (Shortbread Crust):

    • Made from butter, flour, and sugar.

    • Pressed into a pan and baked briefly to create a sturdy base.

  2. Lemon Filling:

    • A silky blend of lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs.

    • Sometimes thickened with flour or cornstarch.

    • For a creamy texture, some recipes use condensed milk.

  3. Crumb Topping:

    • Made from a portion of the base dough or a separate mixture.

    • Crumbled over the filling before baking.

    • Adds a crunchy contrast to the soft filling.

🍽️ Flavor Profile:

  • Sweet and tart with a buttery richness.

  • Zesty lemon flavor is front and center.

  • Balanced by the soft filling and crisp crumb topping.

🔄 Popular Variations:

  • Glazed Lemon Crumb Bars – topped with lemon glaze or icing.

  • Blueberry Lemon Bars – blueberries baked into the filling for added fruitiness.

  • Coconut Crumb Topping – shredded coconut added for texture and flavor.

  • Cream Cheese Swirl – a layer or swirl of cream cheese in the filling.

🥄 Serving Ideas:

  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.

  • Perfect for brunch, dessert trays, picnics, or afternoon tea.

  • Dust with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream for extra flair.

🧾 Nutritional Snapshot (approx. per square):

  • Calories: 180–250

  • Fat: 10–14g

  • Sugar: 12–20g

  • Depends on ingredients and serving size.

🎂 Why People Love Them:

  • Easy to make and great for baking in batches.

  • Crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.

  • The balance of tangy and sweet flavors is refreshing.

  • No need for complex baking skills or tools.

Let me know if you’d like a printable recipe card or an image prompt to go with this!

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